The blog of ObiterJ - responsible and sometimes critical comment on legal matters of general interest. This blog does not offer legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.
'The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience. The law embodies the story of a nation's development...it cannot be dealt with as if it contained the axioms and corollaries of a book of mathematics' - (Oliver Wendell Holmes - 1841 to 1935). Pro Aequitate Dicere

Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Two future appeals of considerable public interest

It is reported in the media that Angela Gordon, the mother of Khyra Ishaq (aged 7 at the time of her death), will appeal to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) against her sentence. Gordon was pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and was sentenced to 15 years but ordered to serve 7 with the remainder on licence. Law and Lawyers mentioned Khyra's tragic case here.

It also appears that Ali Dizaei is to appeal against both his conviction and sentence. Dizaei held the rank of Commander in the Metropolitan Police and he was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for offences of misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice - see Daily Mail 9th February 2010. It is reported that he will argue that his trial was unfair and that his sentence too harsh. See The Guardian 8th February 2010.

Addendum 3rd March 2011: The appeals in the Khyra Ishaq case were dismissed - see BBC 3rd March 2011.

Addendum 13th February 2012: Dizaei's appeal was heard in May 2011 and a retrial was ordered on the basis of new evidence. In February 2012, Dizaei was convicted at the retrial.